Jeffersonian. A bi-weekly paper, originally established in 1799 by
Samuel S. Parker. With the issue of October 1, 1800, the paper was published by
John S. Lillie.

Brigham, page 280.

In sending a bill for
The Constitutional Telegraphe from October 1, 1801 to April 1, 1802 ($
4.50), John S. Lillie wrote on October 12, 1803, to Jefferson: “When I was Editor of the News Paper called the
Constitutional Telegraphe, I sent it on to you, as did Doct
r. Parker, who was the original Editor of that Paper. I should not at this late period have thought of forwarding my Bill to
you, which I have inclosed in this Letter, but for my misfortunes. I have suffered, Sir, very much in consequence of my too
ardent zeal in the Republican cause, & am willing, if it should be necessary, still to suffer more, neither the neglect of
my Republican friends, nor the contumely or contempt of my federal enemies, will, I trust, ever induce me to alter my political
creed. Perhaps my zeal in the Republican cause when I edited the
Telegraphe, made me rather imprudent; I certainly meant well, & my concience
[sic--Ed.] does not reproach me with an intention, to injure, either directly, or indirectly, the private character of any man. The
distress of my family was great during my unfortunate imprisonment for a supposed libel on
Judge Dana; at that time, two of my Children lay at the point of Death, particularly, the youngest, who has the honor to bear your name
. . .
"You no doubt will recollect Sir, that the
Constitut
l. Telegraphe
, was, at one time, the only decided Republican Paper in this State. and if I know my own heart, when I became its Editor,
I had no other view, than the good of my native Country, in the promotion of Republicanism in your Election to the Chief magistracy
of the nation, and to this single point I exerted with pleasure all the abilities which I possessed, & had the inexpressible
satisfaction to find the cause triumphant . . .”